DANNY Alcock was looking forward to last Wednesday's reserve game knowing it could be the key to securing him a first team spot.
But instead the outing at Clitheroe ended in disaster for the second choice goalie.
The 20-year-old had been told Stuart Jones couldn't play against Cambridge last Saturday and was getting match-practise for his first team debut this season. But, in the 35th minute, an innocous move ended in a broken arm - and agony for Alcock.
"I couldn't believe it," said the devastated keeper. "I came and slid out for the ball and one of the Clitheroe strikers lunged at me. I knew something wasn't right but I thought it was my ribs as I couldn't breath. I thought I had broke my wrist and then I realised I couldn't move my arm. It all swelled up. I went straight to the hospital with Procky (Andy Procter)."
He had an X-ray which showed he had a bad arm break and now has a pot on. He is hoping to see a specialist this week to learn the extent of his injury - whether he will need an operation to pin his arm."I am praying it is not an operation and that it will heal itself."
The former Barnsley keeper could be out for up to three months but is waiting for confirmation. "I can't drive or do anything at the moment and keep getting sharp pains," he said. "So I have returned home to Stoke as there is nothing I can do in Accrington. This just can't have come at a worse time. I have never broken anything before and I just can't believe it. I haven't had much luck at Accrington so far."
Retiring keeper Stuart Jones admitted: "I am gutted for Danny. He was trying to get match fit as I had told the staff in the morning I couldn't play. It is not fair that the nice guys have to suffer but he will be back."
It continues a keeper jinx for Coleman who lost Jon Kennedy to a training ground ligament injury last season and has battled to find a regular number one since the Reds came into the Conference.
